FAPRI Analyst Gary Adams Joins NCC as Vice President for Economics and Policy Analysis

NEW ORLEANS (Special) - Dr. Gary Adams, director of Crop Program Analysis for the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri, was named vice president for Economics and Policy Analysis at the National Cotton Council of America.

NCC President and CEO Gaylon B. Booker announced the appointment, which is effective July 1, during the Council’s spring Board meeting. Adams succeeds Dr. Mark Lange, who will become the NCC’s president and CEO next February upon Booker’s retirement. As previously announced by industry leaders, John Maguire will be elevated to senior vice president for Washington Affairs in February.

"We are pleased to have a person of Gary’s talent and experience in economics and policy analysis join the Council staff," Booker said. "His expertise will enable the Council to build on its established procedure of using economic modeling as a powerful tool to help industry leaders develop sound cotton policy as part of government farm and trade programs."

Booker also announced two additional vice presidential appointments. Fred Johnson was elevated to vice president for Administration and Program Coordination and Bill Norman was named vice president for Ginner Affairs. Johnson has served as director of Administration and assistant to the president and CEO, while Norman moves from director of Ginner Affairs. He will continue to serve as executive vice president of the National Cotton Ginners Assn. (NCGA). The appointments are effective immediately.

Adams, who also holds an appointment as a research assistant professor for crops in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Missouri, has focused on crops modeling at FAPRI. His responsibilities include outlook and policy analysis for the crops sector as well as maintaining models for farm income and government costs.

FAPRI is a Congressionally enacted institute whose mission is to provide objective analysis of food, agricultural, nutritional and environmental issues. FAPRI analysis has been used by members of Congress in writing farm legislation, negotiators working on trade agreements, agribusiness, farmers and the general public.

Adams graduated with a B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Alabama in 1987. He received his M.A. degree in Applied Mathematics from that institution in 1989 and his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri in 1994.

Johnson, who served as NCC ginner representative and executive vice president of the NCGA prior to assuming his present duties, joined the Council as a field representative in Lubbock in 1979. The graduate of Texas Tech University’s School of Agriculture also held positions as supervisor of Mid-South Field Services and manager of Finance and Program Development.

Norman assumed his present duties at the Council in 2000 following a 14-year career at Continental Eagle Corp., where he achieved the position of vice president before departing to form his own technical consulting company. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural engineering.

"The addition of Gary Adams and the promotion and realignment of responsibilities among NCC staff strongly positions the Council to continue its leadership role as the central organization of the U.S. cotton industry," said NCC Chairman Kenneth Hood.

"While the recently passed farm bill was a crucial step in the renewal of economic vitality for the industry, the U.S. agricultural economy remains fragile. Farm and international trade policy issues continue to be high priorities for the Council, and the industry will continue to need a strong, united voice in addressing those concerns."